4th Wisconsin
Cavalry Regiment
RosterBattles involving 4th CavalryAssignments for 4th CavalryExample of Soldier's Records Infomation- Organized on Aug 22 1863
- Enlistment term: 3 years
- Mustered out on May 28 1866
Available statistics for total numbers of men listed as:
- Enlisted or commissioned: 2185
- Killed or died of wounds: 103
- Died of disease: 282
- Prisoner of war: 40
- Died while prisoner of war: 10
- Disabled: 269
- Missing: 1
- Deserted: 97
- Discharged: 177
- Mustered out: 1159
- Transferred out: 13
Historical notes and Reports:
Fourth Infantry WISCONSIN
(3-YEARS)
Fourth Infantry. -- Cols., Halbert E. Paine, Sidney A. Bean, Frederick A. Boardman, Joseph Bailey, Webster P. Moore, Nelson F. Craigue; Lieut.-Cols., Sidney A. Bean, Frederick A. Boardman, Joseph Bailey, Webster P. Moore, Nelson F. Craigue, George W. Durgin, Horatio B. Baker; Majs., Frederick A. Boardman, Joseph Bailey, Webster P. Moore Nelson F. Craigue, Guy C. Pierce, Edward A. Ramsey, Erastus J. Peck James Keefe, Henry Brooks, George W. Durgin, Horatio B. Baker, James B. Farnsworth.
This regiment was organized at Racine in June, 1861, with a numerical strength of 1,047. It was mustered in July 2, and was first used in suppressing bank riots in Milwaukee and Watertown.
It left the state July 15 and on the refusal of the railroad company to transfer it from Corning, N. Y., to Elmira, it seized the train and ran it to Elmira. It went into headquarters at the Relay house, Md., and later joined the ''Eastern Shore'' expedition, going to Baltimore in December.
On Feb. 19, 1862, it left for Fortress Monroe to join the New Orleans expedition, but was sent to Ship Island, Miss., until April 16. On the 28th Cos. E and G were landed 10 miles from Forts Jackson and St. Philip, after rowing 5 miles and drawing 30 boats loaded with arms and ammunition a mile and a half, while wading in mud and water waist deep.
The regiment, with the 31st Mass., was first landed in New Orleans and took forcible possession of the custom house. The 4th Wis. was occupied in scouting duty in detachments until July 26, when it was sent to Baton Rouge, Col. Paine taking command of the troops there with orders to burn the city with the exception of the state library, paintings, statuary and charitable institutions.
This order was afterwards revoked on Col. Paine's representation to Gen. Butler that the town ''would be useful to our army for further military operations.'' The town was fortified thoroughly by the regiment, which was later ordered to Carrollton, near New Orleans, Co. G being detached for service with the heavy artillery, and 40 men were also transferred to the 2nd U. S. artillery.
The winter and spring were devoted to picket duty and small expeditions through Mississippi. The regiment took a prominent part in the battle of Fort Bisland near Brashear City in April. It was then sent to Opelousas, where it met and defeated a large mounted force of the enemy.
By order of Gen. Banks the regiment was mounted and thereafter served as cavalry. It was in numerous skirmishes until ordered to Port Hudson in May as part of the investing force. It took part in the first assault and reached the ditch surrounding the fortifications, having been temporarily dismounted. It was in the second assault on June 14, losing 140 of the 220 men engaged in the charge.
It returned to Baton Rouge July 25, and passed the following year in picketing, foraging and preserving the peace in that section, occasionally capturing or dispersing small bands of cavalry and guerillas. On Nov. 27, 1864, it formed part of a cavalry force to keep the enemy near Mobile from advancing toward Gen. Sherman.
The winter was passed at Baton Rouge and the regiment was sent to Mobile in April, 1865. After the surrender of the latter place, the 4th was sent on a 70-day expedition through Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. In July it was ordered to Texas and remained there until May, 1866, to prevent smuggling, guard against the Indians and preserve the peace.
It was mustered out May 28, 1866. Its original strength was 1,047. Gain by recruits, 982; substitutes, 16; reenlistments, 260; total, 2,305. Loss by death, 350; missing, 23; desertion, 74; transfer, 2, discharge, 474; mustered out, 754.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 4
Fourth Infantry WISCONSIN
(3-YEARS)
Fourth Infantry. -- Cols., Halbert E. Paine, Sidney A. Bean, Frederick A. Boardman, Joseph Bailey, Webster P. Moore, Nelson F. Craigue; Lieut.-Cols., Sidney A. Bean, Frederick A. Boardman, Joseph Bailey, Webster P. Moore, Nelson F. Craigue, George W. Durgin, Horatio B. Baker; Majs., Frederick A. Boardman, Joseph Bailey, Webster P. Moore Nelson F. Craigue, Guy C. Pierce, Edward A. Ramsey, Erastus J. Peck James Keefe, Henry Brooks, George W. Durgin, Horatio B. Baker, James B. Farnsworth.
This regiment was organized at Racine in June, 1861, with a numerical strength of 1,047. It was mustered in July 2, and was first used in suppressing bank riots in Milwaukee and Watertown.
It left the state July 15 and on the refusal of the railroad company to transfer it from Corning, N. Y., to Elmira, it seized the train and ran it to Elmira. It went into headquarters at the Relay house, Md., and later joined the ''Eastern Shore'' expedition, going to Baltimore in December.
On Feb. 19, 1862, it left for Fortress Monroe to join the New Orleans expedition, but was sent to Ship Island, Miss., until April 16. On the 28th Cos. E and G were landed 10 miles from Forts Jackson and St. Philip, after rowing 5 miles and drawing 30 boats loaded with arms and ammunition a mile and a half, while wading in mud and water waist deep.
The regiment, with the 31st Mass., was first landed in New Orleans and took forcible possession of the custom house. The 4th Wis. was occupied in scouting duty in detachments until July 26, when it was sent to Baton Rouge, Col. Paine taking command of the troops there with orders to burn the city with the exception of the state library, paintings, statuary and charitable institutions.
This order was afterwards revoked on Col. Paine's representation to Gen. Butler that the town ''would be useful to our army for further military operations.'' The town was fortified thoroughly by the regiment, which was later ordered to Carrollton, near New Orleans, Co. G being detached for service with the heavy artillery, and 40 men were also transferred to the 2nd U. S. artillery.
The winter and spring were devoted to picket duty and small expeditions through Mississippi. The regiment took a prominent part in the battle of Fort Bisland near Brashear City in April. It was then sent to Opelousas, where it met and defeated a large mounted force of the enemy.
By order of Gen. Banks the regiment was mounted and thereafter served as cavalry. It was in numerous skirmishes until ordered to Port Hudson in May as part of the investing force. It took part in the first assault and reached the ditch surrounding the fortifications, having been temporarily dismounted. It was in the second assault on June 14, losing 140 of the 220 men engaged in the charge.
It returned to Baton Rouge July 25, and passed the following year in picketing, foraging and preserving the peace in that section, occasionally capturing or dispersing small bands of cavalry and guerillas. On Nov. 27, 1864, it formed part of a cavalry force to keep the enemy near Mobile from advancing toward Gen. Sherman.
The winter was passed at Baton Rouge and the regiment was sent to Mobile in April, 1865. After the surrender of the latter place, the 4th was sent on a 70-day expedition through Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. In July it was ordered to Texas and remained there until May, 1866, to prevent smuggling, guard against the Indians and preserve the peace.
It was mustered out May 28, 1866. Its original strength was 1,047. Gain by recruits, 982; substitutes, 16; reenlistments, 260; total, 2,305. Loss by death, 350; missing, 23; desertion, 74; transfer, 2, discharge, 474; mustered out, 754.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 4
Battles (where losses incurred) involving 4th Cavalry Regiment
| Location | Date | Killed | Wounded | POW | Missing | Losses |
| Baton Rouge, LA | Sep 8 1863 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Bisland, LA | Apr 13 1863 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Clinton, LA | Jun 3 1863 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| Plaquemine, LA | Aug 6 1864 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Port Hudson, LA | May 27 1863 | 13 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 29 |
| Port Hudson, LA | Jun 14 1863 | 32 | 81 | 4 | 0 | 117 |
| Prairie Grove, AR | Dec 7 1862 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Brigade, Division, Corps, and Army assignments for 4th Cavalry Regiment
| From | To | Brigade | Division | Corps | Army/Department | Comments |
| Jul 1863 | Jul 1863 | Cavalry | 13 | Army and Dept of the Gulf | ||
| Jul 1863 | Oct 1863 | | Dist Baton Rouge, LA | Army and Dept of the Gulf | ||
| Oct 1863 | Jan 1864 | Unattached | Cavalry | Army and Dept of the Gulf | ||
| Jan 1864 | Jun 1864 | | Dist Baton Rouge, LA | Army and Dept of the Gulf | ||
| Jun 1864 | Aug 1864 | 4 | Cavalry | Army and Dept of the Gulf | ||
| Aug 18 1864 | Feb 9 1865 | 2 | Cavalry | Army and Dept of the Gulf | ||
| Feb 15 1865 | Mar 15 1865 | | Cavalry | Army and Dept of the Gulf | ||
| Mar 15 1865 | Apr 14 1865 | 1 | 1 | Cavalry Military Division West Mississippi | ||
| Apr 14 1865 | May 9 1865 | 2 | 1 | Cavalry Military Division West Mississippi | ||
| May 9 1865 | Jul 1865 | 3 | 1 | Cavalry Military Division West Mississippi |
Roster for 4th Cavalry Regiment - 2,173 men
Source: Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers; War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865; Volumes I and II; compiled by Authority of the Legislature, under the direction of Jeremiah M. Rusk, Governor & Chandler P. Chapman, Adjutant General; Democrat Printing Company, State Printers; Madison, Wisconsin; 1886
| Ackart - Bush | Bushnell - Elbers |
| Eldridge - Henderson | Henry - Lewis |
| Lighthizer - Parke | Parker - Smart |
| Smith - Zoellner | |
 back to Civl War index | back to Military index |
back to index
Copyright © 2006-2009 to Genealogy Trails' Wisconsin Trails host & each Contributor
All rights reserved
